Weather is great in Arizona - why can't the the other aspects of our quality of life be as good as our climate? (Phoenix: houses, unemployment rate)

[Highpointer]

I see that the northeastern USA is expecting a big snowstorm this weekend, and it is still October.

In Arizona, we have outstanding weather, with daytime temperatures right now in the 80's F with no chance of snow. However, the economy in Arizona is very poor, with high unemployment, low wages, and declining home prices.

Why can't our economy, and other aspects of our quality of life, be as good as our climate in Arizona? What causes places like Arizona that have a great climate to have a poor quality of life in so many other areas, while places that have terrible climates have higher per-capita incomes and superior qualities of life in other areas?

Perhaps if an area has a bad climate, then this encourages people to work harder, and they achieve more in their careers and earn more money. On the other hand, if the weather is great, this encourages people to become lazy and less motivated to succeed. Could this be true?

[Matt Kim]

The economy was great in Arizona until government crashed the housing market.

Now it's lousy all over.

[JAinAZ]

Go to the Northeast and see how "great" their economy is. It is tough all over. The manufacturing base that was in the NE when I was growing up is mostly gone now. Empty factories line the banks of the rivers. It is quite dreary.

[observer53]

You could ask the same question about numerous places in CA, (without the hot summers)-- that state is awash in debt, with the same economic issues we have, magnified in many respects by the size of the population.

[Ponderosa]

Times are hard almost everywhere unless your town is on top of an oil or gas field. Phoenix metro has lower unemployment numbers than Houston, Seattle, LA, SF, Denver, Portland, and San Diego metros to name a few. AZ was among the biggest job producers in the US prior to the recession and already in this weak recovery we are among the leading states for job growth. We'll come back strongly.

Aside from all that, one has to ask it the quality of life is so bad, why oh why have millions moved here in the last 30 years? I've said it fifty times, but outside of this forum I have run into very, very few people who don't like it here and want to leave.

[Highpointer]

Originally Posted by JAinAZ

Go to the Northeast and see how "great" their economy is. It is tough all over. The manufacturing base that was in the NE when I was growing up is mostly gone now. Empty factories line the banks of the rivers. It is quite dreary.

The economy is better in the Northeast than it is in Arizona. Here is the unemployment rate in each state, for Sept. 2011:

Unemployment Rates for States

Here is the list of states by per capita income:

Per Capita Personal Income by State — Infoplease.com

The unemployment rate in Arizona is 9.1%, and the per capita income for Arizona in 2010 was $34,999. In contrast, here are unemployment rates and per capita incomes for several leading Northeastern states:

Unemployment Per capita income
Connecticut 8.9% $56,001
Massachusetts 7.3% $51,552
New York 8.0% $48,821
Pennsylvania 8.3% $41,152
New Jersey 9.2% $50,781

In all of these states, except for New Jersey, the unemployment rate is lower, and the unemployment rate in NJ is only 0.1% higher than it is in Arizona. Every one of these states has higher per capita incomes, with the per capita income in Connecticut exceeding that in AZ by 60%

Therefore, the evidence shows that the economy in the major Northeastern states is better than it is in Arizona.

[Highpointer]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Aside from all that, one has to ask it the quality of life is so bad, why oh why have millions moved here in the last 30 years? I've said it fifty times, but outside of this forum I have run into very, very few people who don't like it here and want to leave.

People must be lazy or lack ambition, and would rather not work very hard. I want to work, work very hard and long hours, and earn lots of money.

I admire the people who are in the top 1% - I want to join them.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Highpointer

The economy is better in the Northeast than it is in Arizona. Here is the unemployment rate in each state, for Sept. 2011:

Unemployment Rates for States

Here is the list of states by per capita income:

Per Capita Personal Income by State — Infoplease.com

The unemployment rate in Arizona is 9.1%, and the per capita income for Arizona in 2010 was $34,999. In contrast, here are unemployment rates and per capita incomes for several leading Northeastern states:

Unemployment Per capita income
Connecticut 8.9% $56,001
Massachusetts 7.3% $51,552
New York 8.0% $48,821
Pennsylvania 8.3% $41,152
New Jersey 9.2% $50,781

In all of these states, except for New Jersey, the unemployment rate is lower, and the unemployment rate in NJ is only 0.1% higher than it is in Arizona. Every one of these states has higher per capita incomes, with the per capita income in Connecticut exceeding that in AZ by 60%

Therefore, the evidence shows that the economy in the major Northeastern states is better than it is in Arizona.

They need that higher income for the higher cost of living. So, those figures in raw numbers don't tell the actual story.

That said, I don't see the point of this thread. A nice climate doesn't mean that everything else will be just as rosy. And, conversely, a less hospitable climate doesn't mean everything else will follow suit. (And, I can't help noticing that this thread started when the unseasonable heat ended. )

[CheyDee]

Originally Posted by observer53

They need that higher income for the higher cost of living. So, those figures in raw numbers don't tell the actual story.

This is very true. Just compare property taxes alone...

I have friends and family in NY (Long Island). Their annual property taxes range from approximately $10,000 to $17,000. This isn't for acres of property and this isn't for "the very best" neighborhood. Their houses are what I consider average in size (1200 to 2100 sf, most closer to the former), average in neighborhood, and their lots are all less than 1/4 acre - some much less.

To contrast, I also have what I consider an average size house and my property taxes are well under $2,000/year.

[Bummer]

Remember, Highpointer . . .

THE GRASS ALWAYS LOOKS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE.